Windows 10: how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive

Discus and support how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; Did an accidental quick Format of an external backup drive. Have not used it since. It was used as my File History drive.... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by Ian McCallum2, Nov 10, 2022.

  1. IAN MCCALLUM2
    Ian McCallum2 Win User

    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive


    Did an accidental quick Format of an external backup drive. Have not used it since. It was used as my File History drive.

    :)
     
    Ian McCallum2, Nov 10, 2022
    #1
  2. PAUL BLACK
    Paul Black Win User

    Accidentally QUICK formatted external USB drive

    Hello @Terrypin,


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    Also, have a look at this => Glarysoft File Recovery Free


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    I hope this helps.
     
    Paul Black, Nov 10, 2022
    #2
  3. JUMANJI
    jumanji Win User
    Accidentally QUICK formatted external USB drive

    OK,
    Paul Black answered your query on Glary Utilities. Glary Utilities > Advanced Tools > Privacy & Security > File Undelete

    You can also click on the lower dot on the right hand side and see all the tools as shown below.


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    As for GetDataBackPro, if level 1 scan does not show your folders, you can do a Level 2 scan, then level 3 and Level4 scan as required.

    Paul Black has also recommended easeus and you seem to have got a clue from it that would help fetch the files from other drives/PC.

    I have just finished low level formatting ( writing zeros to all sectors), then a regular Quick Format and loaded about 160GB data into the disk. I shall go ahead with my experiment and check Glary Utilities , GetDatabackPro and PhotoRec on it after doing a Quick format..

    Before Quick Format


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    Did a Quick Format which deleted all data


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    Glary Utilities - File Undelete - did not find any folders/files


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    GetDataBack Pro - evaluation (Trial) version

    Level 1 Scan - did not find any folders


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    Level 2 Scan: Found all folders. ( Folders/sub-folders/ files can be opened/viewed/played ) *Thumbs


    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive [​IMG]


    PhotoRec - did not find any folders
     
    jumanji, Nov 10, 2022
    #3
  4. TERRYPIN
    Terrypin Win User

    how can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive

    Accidentally QUICK formatted external USB drive

    I accidentally applied a Quick Format to the wrong drive. Instead of a 16 GB USB stick (Lhow can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive :) it was an external 1 TB drive (Khow can i undo an accidental quick format of an external drive :). In less than 2 seconds some 300-400 GB has vanished. Its content was mainly backups, but it was obviously not itself backed up, nor was it the destination for my nightly or weekly backups. So I can't even list its contents to begin reconstructtion.

    Initial googling shows many options for commercial data recovery software but so far no posts about recovering from a QUICK format, which I'm hoping must be an important distinction? Anyone know of a tool please, ideally free and easy to use?

    Version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.1706)
     
    Terrypin, Nov 10, 2022
    #4
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